Squaring up with £5.6m to transform historic site

28 HOMES TO BE CREATED IN REVAMP OF GEORGIAN BUILDINGS

Reporter WORK to transform historic buildings into a set of new homes in North Shields is gathering pace.

The £5.6m project involves listed Georgian buildings at Northumberland Square where 28 homes will be created.

Kier North Tyneside and Thompson’s of Prudhoe have almost finished work to remove the unsightly 1950s extensions at the back of the properties, between Upper Camden Street and Albion Road.

This will allow the properties to be restored to their original condition.

Work will continue on the site for a number of weeks with construction of the new homes expected to start towards the end of the summer.

The 28 new properties will include a mixture of houses and apartments.

North Tyneside Council said the scheme will bring significant economic benefits to the town, boost businesses, and play a central role in its ongoing regeneration.

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “Northumberland Square is an important local landmark and a conservation area with architecture that only exists in a handful of British towns and cities.

“The demolition work allows us to move ahead with our plans for the front of the square and I know that local people and businesses will be eager to see how the project takes shape.”

Kier regional director Mike Furze added: “We’re proud to be involved in the development of Northumberland Square, which will eventually provide 28 much-needed new homes for residents in North Tyneside.

“We continue to be committed to working with North Tyneside Council to improve the quality of housing for residents across the borough, and look forward to supporting the council deliver a range of new homes in the near future.”

The old buildings, dating from the early 19th Century, were previously used as a base for the council’s legal team.

They were in a poor state of repair and suffered from water damage, vandalism, and wet and dry rot.